Straight Up

The pop culture podcast with no filter, brought to you by besties and journalists Kathleen and Ellie. New episodes out every Thursday!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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256 episodes
Updated Thursday
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Episodes256

Newest first

March 12 · 1 hr 12 min
Harry Styles, Sarah J. Maas and the Timothée Chalamet backlash
Harry Styles has dropped his long-awaited album, ACOTAR author Sarah J Maas went on Call Her Daddy and Timothée Chalamet is facing backlash for his comments on ballet and opera – it’s been a busy week in pop culture! Plus: Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall’s sexy new series Vladimir has landed on Netflix just as the “smut renaissance” reaches fever pitch. From romantasy to Heated Rivalry, is our insatiable appetite for steam a symptom of the loneliness epidemic? Finally, a quick look at Lily Allen’s tour reviews, that *very* awkward new Louis Theroux interview and a super exciting announcement: book club is back in April! We can’t wait to see some of you there <3 Get tickets to our book club on Sunday 12 April at The Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor and order your copy of our book pick Hooked here. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs Maybe Knowing Too Much About Motherhood Has Ruined Me, The Cut ‘I regret having children’, The Cut Vladimir: A Novel, Julia May Jonas Vladimir, Netflix Vladimir author Julia May Jonas: ‘We’re imprisoned by our obsessions’, The Guardian Is it true that … if you pluck a grey hair, two will grow in its place? The Guardian Julia May Jonas on Bringing Vladimir to Netflix—and What She Changed, Elle Hooked, Asako Yuzuki Sarah J. Maas on Call Her Daddy Are We in a ‘Smut Renaissance’? New York Times Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, Harry Styles Harry Styles - Zane Lowe & Apple Music ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’ Interview ‘Would you like me to cry now?’: Louis Theroux on the manosphere, marriage and misunderstandings, The Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 5 · 59 min
Love Story: JFK Jr & Carolyn Bessette, Olivia Dean and the Jay Shetty cult
Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr & Carolyn Bessette has us all hooked, from the Sex and the City-style NYC setting to its retelling of the 90s' most iconic romance. But how much of it is dramatised vs what actually happened? Also this week: star of the moment Olivia Dean’s BRIT Awards sweep, why Jay Shetty remains un-cancellable despite an excruciating new interview, Lily Collins as Audrey Hepburn and former Call Her Daddy host Sofia Franklyn’s revenge memoir about her split from Alex Cooper. Enjoy huns and please do get in touch to let us know what you think of the ep! Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/ reviews: Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr & Carolyn Bessette, Disney+ I Knew JFK Jr. I Thought I Would Sob Through ‘Love Story.’ Instead, I Laughed Out Loud, Hollywood Reporter What’s Fact And What’s Fiction In Disney's 'Love Story', Elle Calvin Klein! The brand that made Kate Moss into the ’90s It Girl, Talk 90s to me podcast ep with Sali Hughes Paul Anthony Kelly Tells Mel Ottenberg How He Became John-John, Interview Uncovering the higher truth of Jay Shetty, The Guardian Wellness guru Jay Shetty has raised some doubts. Including his own, The Interview, New York Times Jay Shetty Knows Exactly What You Want. That's the Problem. Liz Bucar, Substack Hard work, romance and bell hooks: how Olivia Dean became British pop’s newest megastar, The Guardian Emily in Paris star Lily Collins to play Audrey Hepburn in film about Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Guardian The Babies Kept in a Mysterious Los Angeles Mansion, The New Yorker . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 26 · 1 hr 4 min
America’s Next Top Model, Gordon Ramsay and the BAFTAs
The new America’s Next Top Model doc has everyone talking about the ethics of reality TV and just how bonkers the 15-year phenomenon really was, so this week we’re diving into everything from how things have changed since the noughties to how terribly Tyra Banks comes across. Also on the show: Gordon Ramsay’s Netflix docuseries and the scandals it skips over, Bonnie Blue’s pregnancy announcement, the gorgeous BAFTA-winning film My Father’s Shadow and a recap on everything that went down at the awards on Sunday night. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/reviews: Paris recs: La Fondation hotel, Le Cheval D'or, Mischief My Father’s Shadow, in cinemas now Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, Netflix We were all rooting for Tyra Banks to give us some answers – but this America’s Next Top Model documentary gaslights its audience, Independent Being Gordon Ramsay, Netflix Swearing, Marty Supreme … and Prince William: Bafta’s 12 biggest snubs and surprises, Guardian I Swear, AppleTV/Amazon Prime Video ‘Marty Supreme’ Ties BAFTA Record for Most Losses in History, Variety . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 19 · 48 min
Gisèle Pelicot, celeb power couples and splitting the bill
Symbol of survivor-led justice Gisèle Pelicot has released her memoir, so this week we’re discussing some of the most powerful and inspiring interviews from her press tour. Also on the show: hologram concerts, Dua Lipa and Callum Turner top the Standard’s list of London’s 25 power couples, Cruz Beckham’s Beatles-themed 21st birthday bash, and our thoughts on Vogue’s viral essay from a woman who refuses to split the bill on a first date. Plus, reviews of the Derry Girls’ creator’s new show How to Get to Heaven from Belfast and the gorgeous BBC sitcom Small Prophets. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Recs/ reviews: Abba Voyage at the Abba Arena Tivoli La Caleta, Tenerife How to get to Heaven from Belfast, Netflix Waiting for the Out, BBC iPlayer Small Prophets, BBC, iPlayer Anniversary, Netflix Traindreams, Netflix A Hymn to Life, Gisèle Pelicot Gisèle Pelicot, The Interview, New York Times Gisèle Pelicot: “I’ve Given Myself Permission To Be Happy”, Vogue Gisèle Pelicot: The Newsnight Interview review, Guardian So the Epstein scandal is about politics? Silly me for thinking it’s about the mass abuse of women and girls, Guardian I don't want children. I don't want children. I don't want children. I don't want children, Jameela Jamil, Substack The Girl Who Wouldn’t Split the Bill, Vogue . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 18 · 39 min
WUTHERING HEIGHTS: chemistry, controversies and our honest review
Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights is the most talked about and divisive film of the year, so obviously we had to race home from the cinema to record our review for you as a special bonus episode! From Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s chemistry to the many controversies that have people hating, we weigh in on every juicy detail and share the honest thoughts we had while watching. Enjoy huns, we’ll be back tomorrow with our usual pop culture debrief! Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs Wuthering Heights, in cinemas now Should Jacob Elordi Play Heathcliff? Why the ‘Wuthering Heights’ Casting Is So Controversial, According to Literary Experts and More, Variety Jacob Elordi, Heathcliff and the Controversy Over ‘Wuthering Heights’, New York Times 'The hostility has been relentless': How Wuthering Heights became this year's most divisive film, BBC How Far Is Too Far? Emerald Fennell on Gothic Obsession and Wuthering Heights, V&A Museum YouTube . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 12 · 52 min
Jacob Elordi, the Wuthering Heights press tour and motherhood horrors
Wuthering Heights is out this weekend so we’re diving into some of the press tour’s juiciest moments, from Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie’s ‘affair baiting’ to Elordi’s Esquire interview with Emerald Fennell. Also on the show: Bella Hadid’s break-up, Charli XCX on her fave red carpet moments, and the powerful rise of motherhood horror, from Rose Byrne’s ‘monumental’ new film to an addictive, hun-recommended book about a baby shower gone terribly wrong. Plus, the viral Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore TV series, an excellent Romantasy rec and Freida McFadden’s new revenge novel. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/ reviews: Landman, Paramount+ Yellowstone, Netflix What ‘Landman’ Understands About Oil, New York Times Charli xcx is the Moment, Gloves Off with Nicky Campbell on YouTube Jacob Elordi Opens up on the Magnetic Power of Margot Robbie and the Yorkshire Moors in Wuthering Heights, Esquire Rose Byrne: ‘You lose part of yourself when you become a mother’, The Times If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, in cinemas from 20 Feb Expectation, Anna Hope So Thrilled for You, Holly Bourne Dire Bound, Sable Sorensen Dear Debbie, Freida McFadden . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 5 · 44 min
Chappell Roan, Kim K’s Lewis Hamilton romance and Katie Price’s scammer husband
Chappell Roan’s nipple-ring dress was the talk of the Grammy Awards red carpet, so naturally we’re debriefing on that this week, as well as the night’s other biggest moments. Also on the agenda: all things Formula 1, from Brad Pitt’s Oscar-nominated F1: The Movie to the latest rumours that Lewis Hamilton is dating Kim Kardashian, The White Lotus season 4 updates (including Helena Bonham Carter’s casting!) Katie Price’s highly concerning new husband, Olivia Attwood’s separation, a tribute to comedy icon Catherine O'Hara, the long-swirling allegations against David Walliams and a check-in on Marvel’s newest superhero show, which is actually all about acting. Enjoy huns! Get one of the last few tickets to our book club on 15 Feb at the Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/reviews Wonderman, Disney+ F1: The Movie, AppleTV Grammys 2026 highlights: the 10 biggest moments of the night, The Times Katie Price starting to think marriage to Lee Andrews was ‘huge mistake’, Metro Olivia Attwood ‘to divorce’ Bradley Dack & removes wedding ring, The Sun Hilltop hijinks: White Lotus to take over luxury chateau on French Riviera, Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 29 · 1 hr
Taylor vs Blake, the future of Brand Beckham and Sophie Turner’s Steal
The Beckham feud rolls on and of course we have a big juicy update for you! We comb through everything that’s happened over the last week, from wedding witness DJ Fat Tony setting the record straight on Victoria’s “inappropriate” dance, to weigh-ins from Brooklyn and Nicola’s exes. So what’s the future for Brand Beckham? Also on the show: what unsealed texts from the upcoming It Ends with Us trial reveal about Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s rumoured fallout, and our thoughts on the Meghan Trainor surrogacy backlash. Plus, the snubs from this year’s Oscar nominations and a debrief on The Beauty, the wild body horror satirising our culture of physical perfection starring Bella Hadid. Enjoy huns! Get your ticket to our book club on 15 Feb at the Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/ reviews: Steal, Amazon Prime Alana Hadid, whose brother dated Nicola Peltz, weighs in on Brooklyn Beckham drama, Independent Victoria Beckham owns trademarks to all her children’s names, Times Brooklyn Beckham doesn’t need his parents. He’s got a secret weapon, Times Meghan Trainor Faces Onslaught of Hate Over Surrogate Baby, Newsweek The Baby Died. Whose Fault is it? Wired The Beauty, Disney Plus Ratched, Netflix . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 22 · 1 hr 15 min
Harry Styles, Heated Rivalry and Paul Mescal in Hamnet
Harry Styles has new music out, ‘Skins meets Succession’ show Industry is back for season four and Paul Mescal is playing Shakepeare in tear-jerker Hamnet – it’s a good week for pop culture! Also on the show, we’re debriefing on Amazon’s first-look at Sophie Turner as Lara Croft, the ice hockey romance that’s taken the internet by storm, Heated Rivalry, and Molly Mae’s Adidas collab. Plus a fab Call Her Daddy ep with Jennette McCurdy (author of our book club pick Half His Age), a gripping podcast series from Alice Levine and our initial thoughts on s2 of Idris Elba’s Hijack. Enjoy huns and don’t forget to listen to our Brooklyn Beckham bonus episode from yesterday, where we deep-dive into his explosive statement on his relationship with Victoria and David! Tickets for our book club on 15 Feb at the Hoxton, Holborn are going quickly! Get yours via Ticket Tailor. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/reviews Hamnet, in cinemas now Hamnet feels elemental, but is it just grief porn? New Yorker How accurate is Hamnet? The Times 21 Questions to Fall in Love with Paul Mescal, GQ The Roofman, Amazon Explosive Lies podcast Riot Women, BBC iPlayer Heated Rivalry, NOW TV/ Sky UK viewers warm up for steamy ice hockey hit Heated Rivalry, BBC Jennette McCurdy: Half His Age, Call Her Daddy Heavy Is the Crown: George R.R. Martin on His Triumphs and Torments, The Hollywood Reporter A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, NOW TV Molly Mae: Behind It All, Amazon Industry, BBC iPlayer Industry’s Marisa Abela and Myha’la on success, sisterhood and strap-ons, Glamour How to Fail with Marisa Abela Marisa Abela: ‘Industry isn’t afraid to do things that upset people’, Times Hijack, Apple TV . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 20 · 40 min
BROOKLYN BECKHAM: the family feud goes nuclear
Brooklyn Beckham has broken his silence on the family feud and so *obviously* we had to record an emergency episode for you huns! In an utterly jaw-dropping statement, Brooklyn has accused his parents Victoria and David of putting brand Beckham above absolutely everything, with allegations ranging from a vendetta against wife Nicola Peltz that includes planting false stories in the press, to his mum dancing inappropriately “on” him after hijacking the first dance at their wedding. Is this fall out the inevitable culmination of a lifetime in the public eye? Or is Brooklyn a brat with a controlling wife whose parents have tried their best? We dissect it all! As always we’re dying to know your thoughts huns so please do get in touch with your takes x Tickets for our book club on Sunday 15 Feb at the Hoxton Holborn are now live here! Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ References: It’s a Brooklyn v Beckham Inc disaster: what happens when the elephant in the room goes rogue, The Guardian VICTORIA BECKHAM: marriage, money and the Brooklyn fall out, Straight Up (our ep) I don't want to reconcile with family, says Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, BBC Nicola Peltz Has Married Brooklyn Beckham At Her Family’s Oceanfront Palm Beach Estate, Vogue Nicola Peltz’s Custom Valentino Couture Wedding Dress Was Like “A Work Of Art”, Vogue . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 15 · 1 hr 4 min
Timothée Chalamet, Steven Bartlett and Kendall Jenner’s plastic surgery
Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor at the Golden Globes so it’s time for our Marty Supreme review! Also on the show: Kendall Jenner has set the record straight on her sexuality and plastic surgery in her most candid interview yet. But could her nose really have changed shape from acne medication? Plus, our thoughts on the backlash against Diary of a CEO founder Steven Bartlett following his guest Chris Williamson’s controversial comments about the falling birth rate, and a couple of TV recs to beat the January blues. Tickets for our book club on Sunday 15 Feb at the Hoxton Holborn are now live here!! Run don’t walk because the first 20 ticket buyers get a FREE baby tee from the iconic slogan baby tee brand Ruby Loot. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/reviews His & Hers, Netflix People We Meet on Vacation, Netflix Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story, Netflix Hunting Wives, iTVX The Night Manager, iPlayer ‘Diary of CEO’ Guest Calls Out Girl With the List on Birth Rate—She Replies, Newsweeks The Golden Globes ceremony ignored politics. But their big winner taps today’s unhappy turbulence, Guardian Marty Supreme, in cinemas Hamnet, in cinemas . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 8 · 46 min
The Traitors, new Bond Callum Turner and The Housemaid
The Traitors is back with a whole new twist and we have thoughts! Also this week, we review Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried’s wild thriller The Housemaid and Callum Turner’s afterlife romcom Eternity. Speaking of, Mr Dua Lipa looks set to be the next James Bond… but would he make a good 007 or is he too safe a bet? Then of course we had to debrief on Timothée’s Chalamet’s speech about Kylie after winning Best Actor at the Critic’s Choice awards, and update you on the never-ending Beckham family feud saga. Plus, our first book club title has been decided and tickets will be on sale very soon! Enjoy the ep huns and as always please do let us know your thoughts, we LOVE hearing from you. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Find us on YouTube @straightupmediapod Email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ Recs/reviews So Thrilled For You, Holly Bourne Half His Age, Jeanette McCurdy Flesh, David Szalay The Housemaid, in cinemas now Eternity, AppleTV Can Callum Turner handle what it takes to be the new James Bond? Times Critics Choice Awards: Full Winners List, Hollywood Reporter Weapons, available to rent from home The Beckham family's 'sad' escalating feud with Brooklyn and his wife Nicola explained, Hello! The Traitors, BBC iPlayer . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 30, 2025 · 45 min
The 10 best books of 2025
Happy almost New Year, huns! We’re rounding off 2025 with our list of the top ten books of the year, from award-winning heavyweights to addictive romantasy and some stand-out non-fiction. We’re reviewing the reads that dominated group chats, the ones recommended by you guys, and the under-the-radar faves we still can’t stop thinking about. Plus: the books we’re desperate to dive into in 2026 and an update on our book club! We really hope you enjoy this ep, we’ll be back next Thursday for our usual pop culture chaos. Let us know what you think of the ep, share your fave books of the year and just generally get in touch via socials or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. We LOVE hearing from you! Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppod Recs The Names, Florence Knapp Flashlight, Susan Choi Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yaros Shield of Sparrows, Devney Perry Our Salt Path episode Careless People Sarah Wynn-Williams Girl on Girl, Sophie Gilbert New Age of Sexism, Laura Bates Bring the House Down, Charlotte Runcie Flesh, David Szalay Alchemised and CeCe reviews episode Alchemised, SenLinYu CeCe, Emmelie Prophete The Safekeep, Yael van der Wouden The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, Kiran Desai Perfection, Vincenzo Latronico Atmosphere, Taylor Jenkins Reid What We Can Know, Ian McEwan Half His Age, Jeanette McCurdy Dear Debbie, Freida McFadden . . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 23, 2025 · 43 min
The 10 best TV shows of 2025
Happy Christmas hunnies and here’s a little treat from us: our definitive list of the top 10 TV shows of 2025. From thrillers to comedies and coming-of-age dramas, these should keep you entertained throughout the Christmas hols. We've kept our main list to original shows of the year, but with special mentions to our fave returning seasons too. Plus a run through of a few of the year’s very worst shows. We’ll be back next Tuesday for our Best Books of 2025 ep, then back to our usual Thursday pop culture debrief the week after that! Enjoy and please do let us know what you think of the ep, share your top TV recs of the year and just generally get in touch on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. We LOVE hearing from you! Follow us on TikTok @straightuppod Recs The Beast In Me, Netflix Pluribus, AppleTV Sirens, Netflix Film Club, BBC iPlayer Adolescence, Netflix Toxic Town, Netflix The Girlfriend, Amazon Prime Video Down Cemetery Road, AppleTV What It Feels Like For A Girl, BBC iPlayer Overcompensating, Amazon Prime Video Platonic, AppleTV Amandaland, BBC iPlayer Severance, AppleTV Big Boys, Channel 4 The White Lotus, NOW TV . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 18, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Taylor Swift’s Eras doc, Bonnie Blue and the biggest film of 2025
Taylor Swift’s The End of an Era documentary is already breaking Disney records, so we review the first two episodes. Is it pure hagiography or genuinely insightful? Also on the show: why Bonnie Blue wrote a Spectator op-ed backing Nigel Farage, George Clooney’s new marital rule, and the surprising subculture that’s helped make Zootopia 2 box office gold. Plus a review of Alchemised, the incredible fanfic inspired by Harry Potter and the Housemaid’s Tale that netted a seven-figure film deal. Enjoy hunnies and remember next week’s ep is dropping on Tuesday! Enjoy and please do let us know what you think of the ep, share your recs and just generally get in touch on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. We LOVE hearing from you! Follow us on TikTok @straightuppod Recs/ reviews Backstage Beauty Salon Alchemised, SenLinYu The fanfiction written on a notes app that’s become a bestseller – with a seven-figure film deal, Guardian Margaret Atwood on Desert Island Discs, BBC Sounds The MaddAddam Trilogy, Margaret Atwood Cece, Emmelie Prophete Grace Beverley: the Oxford student with a £70m wellness brand, The Times Zootopia 2, in cinemas now Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Netflix Taylor Swift: The End of an Era, Disney . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 11, 2025 · 58 min
The Diddy documentary, Sydney Sweeney and Miley Cyrus’ younger man
50 Cent’s explosive Diddy documentary is dominating the headlines, so this week we’re unpacking the most shocking moments from Sean Combs: The Reckoning. Also on the show: Sydney Sweeney finally addresses her “great jeans” ad controversy, Margot Robbie has given a wonderfully juicy Vogue interview around Wuthering Heights, Channing Tatum’s “career defining” film with Kirstin Dunst is out, Miley Cyrus’s fiancée has everyone talking about age-gaps again and Ellie Goulding’s new baby daddy is a “bad boy”. Plus: the Netflix and Warner Bros mega-deal that has Hollywood spooked! Enjoy and please do let us know what you think of the ep, share your recs and just generally get in touch on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. We LOVE hearing from you! Follow us on TikTok @straightuppod Recs/reviews: Roofman, Apple TV ‘Roofman’ Stars Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst Talk That Nude Scene, Which Toys They Took From Set, Hollywood Reporter Margot Robbie, British Vogue The end of big-screen cinema? What Netflix hopes to achieve by buying Warner Bros, Guardian All About Miley Cyrus’s Fiancé Maxx Morando and Their ‘Low-Key’ Relationship, Elle Sean Combs: The Reckoning, Netflix Sean Combs: The Reckoning review – you can see why the musician is fighting to ban this horrific documentary, Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 4, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Ed Sheeran, Wicked 2 and the new British ‘Gossip Girl’ Wild Cherry
Ed Sheeran’s new songs hint at cracks in his seemingly perfect, previously ultra-private marriage, while Jessie J has had to set the record straight on her breakup with Channing Tatum. So just how literally should we take pop stars’ lyrics? Also this week, we’re diving into the BBC’s Gossip Girl-style mother-daughter thriller Wild Cherry, the so-called “female Adolescence", David Szalay’s Booker Prize-winning novel Flesh and 2025’s Word of the Year. Plus, the surprising news that we’re technically teenagers until 32, reports of wild parties from the set of Rivals, and, finally, our (spoiler-free) review of Wicked 2! We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews: Wild Cherry, BBC iPlayer Flesh by David Szalay Shuggie Bain, Douglas Stuart Ignore the pessimists – we are living through a literary golden age, New Statesman How to Stop Time, Matt Haig Threw it Away, Jessie J Play, Ed Sheeran Straight Up behind the music miniseries ep with Ed Sheeran’s manager Stuart Camp Adolescence lasts into your 30s, major new study on brain development finds, The Independent Wicked: For Good, in cinemas now . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 27, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Jennifer Lawrence, Charli XCX on pop stardom and The Beast In Me
The Beast in Me is the buzzy new Netflix thriller everyone’s talking about, so this week we’re sharing our (spoiler-free!) review and the standout moments from its star Claire Danes’ latest interviews. First, though, we dive into Jennifer Lawrence’s career-defining performance in Die My Love, also starring Robert Pattinson, and her personal reflections on postpartum life, as well as Charli XCX’s fab Substack on the realities of being a pop star and the celeb newsletter boom more generally. Plus: the brilliant new sci-fi about a romantasy writer, Pluribus; the Guardian’s viral investigation into ‘free birth’ influencers; and Ambika Mod’s latest role as a porn-addicted academic. Enjoy hunnies! Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com, and the code works on top of Black Friday sales! Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews: Pluribus, AppleTV The Lost Bus, AppleTV Die My Love, in cinemas now ‘Die My Love’ and the savage truth about the postpartum experience, Gillian Orr, Substack Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world, Guardian The realities of being a pop star, Charli XCX’s substack Why is Everybody Losing Weight and What do we do Sincerely? A person who's lost weight, Lizzo’s Substack Lizzo Starts Over The pop star’s success once felt radical. Can she capture the Zeitgeist again?, Vulture The Beast In Me, Netflix ‘I’d barely kissed a boy, but was making out with Adonis’: Claire Danes on sex, spy camp and teen stardom, Guardian Porn Play, Royal Court The 31-Year-Old Creator Of Porn Play Wanted To “Do Something Provocative”, Vogue . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 26, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
The best films of 2025 (LIVE from Curzon cinema)
From Frankenstein, One Battle After Another and Bugonia, to Sinners, Materialists, and The Roses, in this very special bonus episode we're battling it out for the best films of 2025 live from the Curzon cinema Hoxton! Why are so many of this year’s top films so divisive, and is horror taking over Hollywood? Plus, why blockbuster icons like Leonardo DiCaprio should take note of Timothée Chalamet’s marketing tricks for Marty Supreme, the joys of the Wicked press tours, and our Oscar predictions. Finishing up with a few questions from our huns in the audience! TYSM to everyone who joined us, we loved meeting you all and we can’t wait to do more next year. Thank you so much to our fave cinema Curzon for hosting and sponsoring this episode. PSA for all the huns who want to watch the incredible films reviewed in this ep, Curzon have got a brilliant Black Friday deal on their Classic Film Membership, which runs from 28 November to the 1 December and includes a whopping seven free cinema tickets instead of the usual five, as well as 20% off all additional cinema tickets for you and a guest, and 10% off food and drink in all Curzon cinemas. Find out more here. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews Frankenstein, Netflix Bugonia, in Curzon cinemas now One Battle After Another, AppleTV Eddington, Amazon Prime Video Lilo and Stitch, Disney+ After The Hunt, Amazon Prime Video The Roses, Disney+ Materialists, Amazon Prime Video The Ballad of Wallis Island, Amazon Prime Video Wicked: For Good, in Curzon cinemas now Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, Amazon Prime Sinners, Amazon Prime Video Weapons, Amazon Prime Video Babygirl, AppleTV Die My Love, in Curzon cinemas now . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 20, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
Caroline Flack, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Hilary Duff's comeback
The Devil Wears Prada 2 trailer has just dropped and we couldn’t be more thrilled about it! Will Miranda and Andy’s return live up to the iconic first film? Also this week: Jack Whitehall’s glossy thriller Malice, the Caroline Flack documentary that reveals new details about the role the tabloids and police played in her tragic passing, Louis Theroux interviews Florence Pugh, Hilary Duff is making a comeback, Rachel Sennot’s fab influencer comedy I Love LA, Michelle Obama publishes a fashion book and Paris Hilton has been problematic again. Enjoy hunnys and look out for our bonus episode next Wednesday! Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com, and the code works on top of Black Friday sales! Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too! Recs/reviews I Love LA, NOW TV Malice, Amazon Prime Californication, Paramount + ‘Diabolical move’: Miranda Priestly’s red shoes get Instagram fashion no-no, Guardian Allow Hilary Duff to Reintroduce Herself, Vogue Florence Pugh on the Louis Theroux podcast Michelle Obama at 61: ‘I feel as free now as I did when I was a kid’, The Times Paris Hilton: ‘I’m not scared of anything — except spiders, bees and dying’, The Times Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth, Disney+ . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.